Scan barcode
yellowchevron's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
heather_19's review
5.0
Alec Baldwin has always been one of my favorite actors so it was great to get this peek into his life and his thoughts.
pizzamyheart's review
3.0
I like listening to celebrities narrate their own books. I feel like it really gives you an insight into the REAL person.
When I picked up Nevertheless, I didn't know much about Alec Baldwin. I knew he was in Pearl Harbor. I knew he was on 30 Rock. I knew he portrayed Donald Trump on SNL. I have heard his name everywhere, but I didn't know much about him.
Long story short, Nevertheless isn't a comedic celebrity memoir. It's not simple fluff. I actually don't know how to rank it. When I started the book, I thought "wow, Alec Baldwin sounds like an asshole". then I thought "I could call him an asshole in my review, he'd never read it, but even if he did I doubt he would even care." He just gives off this vibe that he doesn't give a F what you think. Then he delved into his childhood. And suddenly it's like the doors were flung wide open. I could see what impacted his personality, and why he has such a gruff personality. I actually felt rather sad for him and his family. I'm thrilled that he escaped it and found such high levels of success, yes it's clear that what happened during his childhood has impacted him for the rest of his life.
The early parts of his career were interesting. I actually never realized that the husband from Beetlejuice was the same guy in Pearl Harbor and 30 Rock (ok I've never actually seen 30 Rock. It's on my list...). To me, they look like two completely different people. Maybe it has to do with the timeframes. The actor in beetlejuice in young and full of hope for an acting career. The Alec Baldwin from the 2000s and 2010s is more mature. His personality is a bit bittersweet. He carries a weight with him wherever he goes. His voice is soothing, yet strong, yet full of opinion. The Beetlejuice Baldwin would have accepted advice. My impression of the current Baldwin is that he just doesn't care what you think.
Maybe I'm judging the man too harshly. I don't think there's anything wrong with his attitude. I think that's what makes him so successful. Listening to him narrate his own story gave me a new appreciation for the man. Is he someone I'd like to have coffee with? not really. but is he someone I enjoy watching on tv? Absolutely. He brings something to his work that other actors can't. He has his niche in the acting community, and I wish him the best success going forward.
Side note summarizing my opinion on the book:
Alec's narration is excellent. It makes this book. If he wasn't narrating it, I'd have stopped rather quickly. The book itself was good, but a one time read. I actually really enjoyed the last 1/4 of the book. It humbled the man. I finally saw past that gruff exterior and saw the human behind him. It wasn't a favorite celebrity book, but it was good for a day's listen.
When I picked up Nevertheless, I didn't know much about Alec Baldwin. I knew he was in Pearl Harbor. I knew he was on 30 Rock. I knew he portrayed Donald Trump on SNL. I have heard his name everywhere, but I didn't know much about him.
Long story short, Nevertheless isn't a comedic celebrity memoir. It's not simple fluff. I actually don't know how to rank it. When I started the book, I thought "wow, Alec Baldwin sounds like an asshole". then I thought "I could call him an asshole in my review, he'd never read it, but even if he did I doubt he would even care." He just gives off this vibe that he doesn't give a F what you think. Then he delved into his childhood. And suddenly it's like the doors were flung wide open. I could see what impacted his personality, and why he has such a gruff personality. I actually felt rather sad for him and his family. I'm thrilled that he escaped it and found such high levels of success, yes it's clear that what happened during his childhood has impacted him for the rest of his life.
The early parts of his career were interesting. I actually never realized that the husband from Beetlejuice was the same guy in Pearl Harbor and 30 Rock (ok I've never actually seen 30 Rock. It's on my list...). To me, they look like two completely different people. Maybe it has to do with the timeframes. The actor in beetlejuice in young and full of hope for an acting career. The Alec Baldwin from the 2000s and 2010s is more mature. His personality is a bit bittersweet. He carries a weight with him wherever he goes. His voice is soothing, yet strong, yet full of opinion. The Beetlejuice Baldwin would have accepted advice. My impression of the current Baldwin is that he just doesn't care what you think.
Maybe I'm judging the man too harshly. I don't think there's anything wrong with his attitude. I think that's what makes him so successful. Listening to him narrate his own story gave me a new appreciation for the man. Is he someone I'd like to have coffee with? not really. but is he someone I enjoy watching on tv? Absolutely. He brings something to his work that other actors can't. He has his niche in the acting community, and I wish him the best success going forward.
Side note summarizing my opinion on the book:
Alec's narration is excellent. It makes this book. If he wasn't narrating it, I'd have stopped rather quickly. The book itself was good, but a one time read. I actually really enjoyed the last 1/4 of the book. It humbled the man. I finally saw past that gruff exterior and saw the human behind him. It wasn't a favorite celebrity book, but it was good for a day's listen.
duparker's review
3.0
I really enjoy Here's the Thing and Baldwin's commentary and interviews. I wish the appeal and the charm he presents live translated to this book. There is no depth to the book and no depth to Baldwin. I don't doubt that he wrote the book and that he is an interesting and dynamic person, but the goal of the book seems unclear (other than what he writes - to earn a paycheck).
I'm glad that he feels at ease to discuss his marriage and life screw ups, but I couldn't care less that he doesn't care for Kim Bassinger. It is relevant, I suppose, but I just didn't need so much of it.
I'm glad that he feels at ease to discuss his marriage and life screw ups, but I couldn't care less that he doesn't care for Kim Bassinger. It is relevant, I suppose, but I just didn't need so much of it.
kimball_hansen's review against another edition
1.0
I had great notes typed up in my Google Keep and was ready to paste them into here but I accidentally hit paste first instead of copy and I erased them all. So I'm not going to have as much as I wanted to say. Oh well.
This book was pretty cheap. A big let down. I wanted to like it a lot but it slowly got worse and worse until finally I got pretty sick of Alex Baldwin. Even his voice, which I had particularly enjoyed, started to bother me. Here is a guy that tries to come across as this pitiful child with a rough upbringing when, if you think about it, he was no different than you or me.
He's been in a lot of films and knows tons of actors. Many of whom I had no idea what he was talking about. He also ripped on Harrison Ford and I didn't like that one little bit.
He talked about how it's not good to be cast as a villain in films because that will ruin your acting career. But just look at the cover for this book. That just screams murdering, psychopathic villain.
And finally his rant against Trump, Bush, Republicans, and any Christian in general was uncalled for. It had no business being in this book. Dang I didn't realize how much of a filthy liberal he was until reading this.
I think that's all I could remember. If this guys runs for president, please don't vote for him. He's a retard.
That's all.
This book was pretty cheap. A big let down. I wanted to like it a lot but it slowly got worse and worse until finally I got pretty sick of Alex Baldwin. Even his voice, which I had particularly enjoyed, started to bother me. Here is a guy that tries to come across as this pitiful child with a rough upbringing when, if you think about it, he was no different than you or me.
He's been in a lot of films and knows tons of actors. Many of whom I had no idea what he was talking about. He also ripped on Harrison Ford and I didn't like that one little bit.
He talked about how it's not good to be cast as a villain in films because that will ruin your acting career. But just look at the cover for this book. That just screams murdering, psychopathic villain.
And finally his rant against Trump, Bush, Republicans, and any Christian in general was uncalled for. It had no business being in this book. Dang I didn't realize how much of a filthy liberal he was until reading this.
I think that's all I could remember. If this guys runs for president, please don't vote for him. He's a retard.
That's all.
abbey3's review
4.0
If you enjoy E!, Alec Baldwin’s IMBD, and Alec Baldwin, then 100% read this book. I listened to the audio book and it made it quite enchanting, however I don’t think I would’ve liked it as much by book. It’s funny to listen to him fan over other stars and tell life changing moments in a few paragraphs because a lot of his life is full of what I would consider life changing moments, to him, it’s just life.
Also I had no idea about any of his personal life, just enjoy his acting, so a lot of this book was a surprise haha
Also I had no idea about any of his personal life, just enjoy his acting, so a lot of this book was a surprise haha
the_peg's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy Alec Baldwin as an actor / entertainer. It was interesting to hear about his career arc, the struggles with his family, his particular faults (alcoholish/drug use) and conflicts with the media. I thought that he addressed some of the obvious things that people want to know about sincerely (his marriage to Kim Bassinger & the infamous voicemail for his daughter Ireland). I listend to the audiobook of this one because I enjoy hearing his own words spoken by him. I recommend doing the same.
susani_'s review
3.0
3.75 stars
Alec Baldwin’s autobiography is quite insight, honest and well written. While, I personally am not a huge fan, in that I haven’t really watched a lot of his films, I think this would be fantastic for those who love him but also for those who want to be inspired to not to give up.
Alec Baldwin’s autobiography is quite insight, honest and well written. While, I personally am not a huge fan, in that I haven’t really watched a lot of his films, I think this would be fantastic for those who love him but also for those who want to be inspired to not to give up.